Bayshore Victory

We celebrated the holiday weekend up North....we had a race to run walk.

It all began on Saturday at six bells...Sister number 1 hosted a little pre-race breakfast. 

Then it was off to the races. 

 T ran the marathon.  

C and her BFF ran the half.

Big T and B ran the 10K.

Sister number 1, my number 1 brother-in-law, M and I walked the 10K.  Friends, this is my third attempt at this race  since finishing treatment....

so finally finishing (not a bad time, right?) was a victory.

This is why it is called the Bayshore.

The refreshments and cheering along the way were inspiring!

We did it.  If you are still healing from chemo and radiation and surgeries, be patient.  It will get better.  Hang in there.  You are doing it!  And you are doing great!

My Friendship Garden

I love my garden.

  I love working in it, redesigning it, looking at it...

During chemo I was not allowed to work in my garden...that was the entire 2013 season.  Two of my dearest friends took on the task for me.

They claimed that they loved trimming and weeding my garden....because that is what real friends say.

They even made sure Mary had her crown in May.

I will never forget how they kept this beauty going.  Every spring I am reminded....

Nothing matters but the weekend, from a Tuesday point of view...

We had a beautiful weekend here in KC...and I did exactly what I wanted to do....a little work in the garden and a lot of fun events.

Big T Angus Young and I went to a charity event Friday night.  So fun to see all the rocker costumes.

M hosted several college friends this weekend.  I love having a houseful, even if it means changing a lot of beds...

We attended a beautiful wedding Saturday evening....I had to poll 37 of my closest friends before I donned the crop top.  According to C, they are in.

My best year, according to B, the baker of this beautiful cake, was my 32nd, when she was born. 

 Thank You, Mom, for giving me life!  Thank You, God (and my medical team) for 51derful years!

Happy Birthday S!

  Friends, five years ago my very smart daughter, C, decided her brother should meet S.  We all owe C a lot for her inspired genius.

S has four younger sisters of her own, and she really knows how to be a big sister...just ask B, who is her biggest fan (next to me, of course.)

When T shared with me that he was going to propose to S, I had just finished cancer treatment.  My first thought was, if anything happens to me, she will be there to take care of him.  She has been a great partner for T and a wonderful addition to our family...her BIRTHDAY is a great reason to celebrate!! 

What to get this sweet girl for her birthday?  T suggested anything from Anthropologie.  C, my favorite personal shopper, helped to narrow it down.

Happy Birthday, S.  We love you!

Funny Fannie Flagg

I started this book on Siesta Key....with very high expectations.  Once again, FF delivered.  

Best quotes:

"I am telling you, Dena, when you live long enough to see your children begin to look at you with different eyes, and you can look at them not as your children, but as people, it's worth getting older with all the creaks and wrinkles."

***

"They say the truth can see you free, but sometimes it can really depress the hell out of you."

***

"Being a successful person is not necessarily defined by what you have achieved, but by what you have overcome."

***

"Remember, Sookie, nothing says more about family than good silver and real pearls.  The rest is just fluff."
***

Of course this was her most famous book...but there are so many other great ones:

I love Fannie Flagg.  With her trademark wit, she  uses quirky, honest characters experiencing the very normal human condition to send an important, yet hilarious, message about life:  it's better if you keep your sense of humor.

Mother's Day Victory Lap

On Mother's Day we sped down the beautiful eight lane interstate from Louisville to Nashville to spend the day with our favorite newlyweds.

Our first stop was the Cheekwood Estate and their gorgeous gardens!  Next door is Belle Meade Plantation....another highly recommended stop, especially for Sunday brunch.

Next stop was Kay Bob's for a late lunch....the food was outstanding and the service was even better.  Friends, the chef gave me the recipe for his amazing chocolate  pie...Happy Mother's Day to me!

It was parents' weekend for the third years at Vandy's School of Medicine...so T gave us a tour.

This is the auditorium where T had his white coat ceremony, which I missed because of that vicious, life-saving chemo.  I had to give myself a mental shake, and tell myself to smile...to let go of what I missed and be thankful for what I have.  It was a victory, after all.

After mass, we dined in Historic Germantown...

...where this was hanging in the bathroom.  My first colonoscopy really did save my life.  And even though my body is now imperfectly missing some important parts, my Mother's Day was pretty darn perfect.  Thank You God.  Amen.